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Starting Gcse in yr 9

Hey,
I'm starting my GCSE's in year 9 and I'm wondering if there is anything I should be prepared for or anything I should do other the summer.
What should I expect?

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GCSEs start slow and the pressure really only rises in the last few months, possibly after your mocks. I don't really think there's anything you specifically should do over the summer :smile:
Reply 2
Original post by Chlorophile
GCSEs start slow and the pressure really only rises in the last few months, possibly after your mocks. I don't really think there's anything you specifically should do over the summer :smile:
Thanks :smile:, when do all the exams start?
The majority of your exams will probably be at the end of year 11, but seeing as you're starting them in year 9 rather than year 10 you will most likely have exams dotted about the three years (in the January and May/June).

Like the other poster said, there's nothing really you need to do to prepare, just relax and enjoy your summer :smile:
If you know which exam board you'll be using for your GCSEs, you could read the specifications for each subject on their website which will give you an idea of what you'll be studying.
Reply 4
Original post by celiex99
Hey,
I'm starting my GCSE's in year 9 and I'm wondering if there is anything I should be prepared for or anything I should do other the summer.
What should I expect?


Honestly, nothing special.

I started GCSEs in year 9 too, I think the only thing that actually happened was I had mock geography coursework in about October.

As most schools don't start GCSE until year 10 year 9 is a pretty casual year, don't expect too much until the end of 10 where you start doing coursework and mocks and the such :smile:
Original post by celiex99
Thanks :smile:, when do all the exams start?


You would normally do your exams in Year 11. If you're starting them in Year 9, you might do them in Year 10 - I don't know what your school's policy is. It would be pretty unusual and not necessarily helpful to do them in Year 10 though. Regardless, the exams would be in May or June.
Reply 6
Original post by Bethaaaaany
The majority of your exams will probably be at the end of year 11, but seeing as you're starting them in year 9 rather than year 10 you will most likely have exams dotted about the three years (in the January and May/June).

Like the other poster said, there's nothing really you need to do to prepare, just relax and enjoy your summer :smile:
If you know which exam board you'll be using for your GCSEs, you could read the specifications for each subject on their website which will give you an idea of what you'll be studying.


Cheers, I think I have a English literature exam in year 9 and quite a lot of course work in year 9 too.
Reply 7
Original post by Chlorophile
You would normally do your exams in Year 11. If you're starting them in Year 9, you might do them in Year 10 - I don't know what your school's policy is. It would be pretty unusual and not necessarily helpful to do them in Year 10 though. Regardless, the exams would be in May or June.


Yeah probably. I like taking my GCSE's early because I don't have to do the subjects I hate anymore
Original post by celiex99
Hey,
I'm starting my GCSE's in year 9 and I'm wondering if there is anything I should be prepared for or anything I should do other the summer.
What should I expect?

Hello, I'm guessing you're currently in Year 8 then? :biggrin: I've been looking out for some Year 8's recently, we have year group threads (y9, y10, y11, y12, y13) so we were hoping that we'd find some Year 8's to be part of the new Year 9 thread :h: Here is the current Year 9 thread: http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2505043 It's just a place to talk with others in your year, discuss studies and get help, also other older years may pop in from time to time (like me :tongue:)

To answer your question, I'd say just enjoy the summer, I'm pretty sure they'll give you enough time to adjust to the work :smile: I'd make sure to keep on top of my work though, review them and make sure you understand everything, revise/ask your teacher about something you don't understand.
(edited 9 years ago)
Reply 9
Original post by Black Rose
Hello, I'm guessing you're currently in Year 8 then? :biggrin: I've been looking out for some Year 8's recently, we have year group threads (y9, y10, y11, y12, y13) so we were hoping that we'd find some Year 8's to be part of the new Year 9 thread :h: Here is the current Year 9 thread: http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2505043 It's just a place to talk with others in your year, discuss studies and get help, also other older years may pop in from time to time (like me :tongue:)

To answer your question, I'd say just enjoy the summer, I'm pretty sure they'll give you enough time to adjust to the work :smile: I'd make sure to keep on top of my work though, review them and make sure you understand everything, revise/ask your teacher about something you don't understand.


thanks when he is the new 2014 -15 thread coming out??
Reply 10
I was quite unprepared for my exams but I still think I did alright! Year 9 is a bit early to worry, if I had one piece of advice, I would suggest buying the revision text books. I bought the cgp books for the majority of the subjects, or other books. Ask your school or check on the websites or ask year 10/11 for the exam boards and you could have a flick through the books. The only subject I had trouble with was the AQA double science which involved a gcse taken in year 10. I also started my GCSEs in year 9 but it was really more just prep and moving away from ks4. Check if you're doing early entry, if not, don't worry!
Reply 11
Original post by Mia1001
I was quite unprepared for my exams but I still think I did alright! Year 9 is a bit early to worry, if I had one piece of advice, I would suggest buying the revision text books. I bought the cgp books for the majority of the subjects, or other books. Ask your school or check on the websites or ask year 10/11 for the exam boards and you could have a flick through the books. The only subject I had trouble with was the AQA double science which involved a gcse taken in year 10. I also started my GCSEs in year 9 but it was really more just prep and moving away from ks4. Check if you're doing early entry, if not, don't worry!


Thanks Mia I know what all my exam boards are and. I have had a look at revision books. Could I ask you what revision books u got and for what subject?
Reply 12
Original post by celiex99
Thanks Mia I know what all my exam boards are and. I have had a look at revision books. Could I ask you what revision books u got and for what subject?

I'll give you a run down,
Edexcel A linear maths - revision guide by Edexcel (blue)
York notes for AQA is good for a brief view of the book/novel you will be doing in English lit. I had TKAM and An Inspector Calls. My teacher said you could probably do the exam with the York notes without even reading the book.
English lit AQA also required an anthology book and unseen poetry revision but you might be doing a different route.
AQA history B I had the two books, "twentieth century depth studies" and "international relations..." My teachers said the cgp books are quite bad for history, so use text books instead.
English lan AQA was the blue book like maths. "English and English language revision guide". It says Pearson at the bottom if that's helpful. I strongly recommend this book
AQA A science books. Triple science has the separate books for bio chem and physics. I had just double science so it was "core science" and "additional science" fron cgp
For science, I also had the Nelson Thomas Revision guides. These had great practise questions and good for A grade stuff I think.
Geography ocr b I had the cgp book. I'm not sure about other boards but mine required loads of case studies memorised. A revision guide for geography is essential I think.
French was the AQA French cgp book. It was massive and included an audio cd. I thought the audio was the best, as it helped with the listening exam. It was also from the very basic French so could be used from year 9 (really year 7 in my opinion!). As far as I'm aware it's the same for Spanish, German etc, most modern languages.
I took compulsory Religious studies from Edexcel but in my opinion that does not need a revision guide, just memorise religious quotes.
I also did Latin, the Cambridge Latin course. This was an external option at my school, and simply bought the Cambridge Latin course book 1 for this for the first year.
Additional maths (FMSQ) from OCR, I used the additional maths for OCR book which goes through the course and then the CGP book for it (much better).
So that was everything. I think focus on subjects which require long term memory like the foreign languages and maths. Also if you get the option of early entry, take it! I didn't get any chances and was stuck with 22 exams in just 1 month! Don't worry too much. Focus on any exams to be taken in year 9 or 10 and ease yourself into a timetable of revision. Keep it in the long term memory as it's better than cramming in as so many of us did! Also remember that revision guides really have to cater for all grades so some stuff will just be C grade. The best technique is past papers but don't worry about that yet:smile:
(edited 9 years ago)
Original post by celiex99
Hey,
I'm starting my GCSE's in year 9 and I'm wondering if there is anything I should be prepared for or anything I should do other the summer.
What should I expect?


I think you should do some light GCSE revision for exmple for maths i would suggest you get the Mathswatch CD(maths titurials) if your school does not provide you with an online login. Also doing past papers will be hepful too as then you will know what to expect.
When i was in yr 9 i started my Englisg GCSE coursework(Of mice and men) and was not 100% prepared for it so i do suggest you make yourself get a head start.:smile:
Reply 14
Original post by Mia1001
I'll give you a run down,
Edexcel A linear maths - revision guide by Edexcel (blue)
York notes for AQA is good for a brief view of the book/novel you will be doing in English lit. I had TKAM and An Inspector Calls. My teacher said you could probably do the exam with the York notes without even reading the book.
English lit AQA also required an anthology book and unseen poetry revision but you might be doing a different route.
AQA history B I had the two books, "twentieth century depth studies" and "international relations..." My teachers said the cgp books are quite bad for history, so use text books instead.
English lan AQA was the blue book like maths. "English and English language revision guide". It says Pearson at the bottom if that's helpful. I strongly recommend this book
AQA A science books. Triple science has the separate books for bio chem and physics. I had just double science so it was "core science" and "additional science" fron cgp
For science, I also had the Nelson Thomas Revision guides. These had great practise questions and good for A grade stuff I think.
Geography ocr b I had the cgp book. I'm not sure about other boards but mine required loads of case studies memorised. A revision guide for geography is essential I think.
French was the AQA French cgp book. It was massive and included an audio cd. I thought the audio was the best, as it helped with the listening exam. It was also from the very basic French so could be used from year 9 (really year 7 in my opinion!). As far as I'm aware it's the same for Spanish, German etc, most modern languages.
I took compulsory Religious studies from Edexcel but in my opinion that does not need a revision guide, just memorise religious quotes.
I also did Latin, the Cambridge Latin course. This was an external option at my school, and simply bought the Cambridge Latin course book 1 for this for the first year.
Additional maths (FMSQ) from OCR, I used the additional maths for OCR book which goes through the course and then the CGP book for it (much better).
So that was everything. I think focus on subjects which require long term memory like the foreign languages and maths. Also if you get the option of early entry, take it! I didn't get any chances and was stuck with 22 exams in just 1 month! Don't worry too much. Focus on any exams to be taken in year 9 or 10 and ease yourself into a timetable of revision. Keep it in the long term memory as it's better than cramming in as so many of us did! Also remember that revision guides really have to cater for all grades so some stuff will just be C grade. The best technique is past papers but don't worry about that yet:smile:


Thanks Mia for your opinion on the books, I was surprised by how long the message was! Can you give me an opinion on the books I am considering getting:

Maths - http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0007340990/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE
http://www.amazon.co.uk/GCSE-Maths-Edexcel-AQA-OCR/dp/0007340982/ref=pd_sim_b_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=1G5BBXXC1DQ1FEV2JGMS
And I might get this one: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1847624936/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_5?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE
I also have access to MyMaths and maths watch vids and textbook. I also have access to all the higher and foundation Collins Linear A textbooks.

English - For English I am taking IGCSE Cambridge English Language and GCSE AQA English Literature. I was thinking of getting these books:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0007341016/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_4?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE
http://www.amazon.co.uk/GCSE-English-Language-AQA-Foundation/dp/0007341008/ref=pd_sim_b_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=1XHF48EF1DM5KVYG245Z
(What is the difference between English language and English literature?)
I am not sure weather to get this or not:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Spelling-Punctuation-Complete-Revision-Practice/dp/1847621473/ref=sr_1_sc_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1405522088&sr=1-2-spell&keywords=GCSE+englisj+spag

Science - I am not sure weather I am taking additional or triple science, but I defiantly know I'm taking core.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0007416040/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE
http://www.amazon.co.uk/GCSE-Core-Science-Edexcel-Workbook/dp/1841467219/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1405522037&sr=1-3&keywords=GCSE+edexcel+core+science+cgp

History - Should I get: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0340992212/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A1DSC92XD6ASCZ
or
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Revise-Edexcel-History-Making-Revision/dp/1446905128/ref=sr_1_14?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1405522179&sr=1-14&keywords=GCSE+history+edexcel+a
or
http://www.amazon.co.uk/History-Modern-Complete-Revision-Practice/dp/1841463752/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1405522243&sr=1-2&keywords=cgp+history+gcse

Geography - http://www.amazon.co.uk/GCSE-Geography-Complete-Revision-Practice/dp/1847629997/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1405522294&sr=1-2&keywords=cgp+geography+gcse+aqa
or
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Geography-Revision-Guide-Letts-Success/dp/1844195228/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1405522322&sr=1-1&keywords=letts+geography+gcse
or
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Revise-AQA-Geography-Specification-Revision/dp/1447940857/ref=sr_1_10?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1405522347&sr=1-10&keywords=geography+gcse+aqa+a

Lastly ICT - http://www.amazon.co.uk/ICT-Revision-Guide-Letts-Success/dp/1844195244/ref=sr_1_10?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1405522385&sr=1-10&keywords=GCSE+ICT

I know its a lot but could anyone give me there opinion and once again thanks Mia!!!
Reply 15
Original post by German123
I think you should do some light GCSE revision for exmple for maths i would suggest you get the Mathswatch CD(maths titurials) if your school does not provide you with an online login. Also doing past papers will be hepful too as then you will know what to expect.
When i was in yr 9 i started my Englisg GCSE coursework(Of mice and men) and was not 100% prepared for it so i do suggest you make yourself get a head start.:smile:


Thanks for the advice :smile: How and what do you mean by get a head start for English?
Original post by celiex99
Hey,
I'm starting my GCSE's in year 9 and I'm wondering if there is anything I should be prepared for or anything I should do other the summer.
What should I expect?


GCSEs start off at a slow pace but then can hit you later when you get into it. Work hard and I mean hard and you'll get out good results. Make sure you do and prepare for coursework well, it can make a lot of difference and help you feel confident with the exam.

I did German and be warned that if you do a language, you will SUDDENLY feel the heat, it gets quite difficult later on and closer to the final exams.

Good luck!
Reply 17
Original post by JayJay-C19
GCSEs start off at a slow pace but then can hit you later when you get into it. Work hard and I mean hard and you'll get out good results. Make sure you do and prepare for coursework well, it can make a lot of difference and help you feel confident with the exam.

I did German and be warned that if you do a language, you will SUDDENLY feel the heat, it gets quite difficult later on and closer to the final exams.

Good luck!


Thanks, I am doing a language, French, so hopefully I wont feel the heat so much
Original post by celiex99
Thanks, I am doing a language, French, so hopefully I wont feel the heat so much


Although challenging, they're very rewarding and a good subject to study!
Original post by celiex99
Thanks Mia for your opinion on the books, I was surprised by how long the message was! Can you give me an opinion on the books I am considering getting:

Maths - http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0007340990/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE
http://www.amazon.co.uk/GCSE-Maths-Edexcel-AQA-OCR/dp/0007340982/ref=pd_sim_b_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=1G5BBXXC1DQ1FEV2JGMS
And I might get this one: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1847624936/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_5?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE
I also have access to MyMaths and maths watch vids and textbook. I also have access to all the higher and foundation Collins Linear A textbooks.

English - For English I am taking IGCSE Cambridge English Language and GCSE AQA English Literature. I was thinking of getting these books:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0007341016/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_4?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE
http://www.amazon.co.uk/GCSE-English-Language-AQA-Foundation/dp/0007341008/ref=pd_sim_b_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=1XHF48EF1DM5KVYG245Z
(What is the difference between English language and English literature?)
I am not sure weather to get this or not:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Spelling-Punctuation-Complete-Revision-Practice/dp/1847621473/ref=sr_1_sc_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1405522088&sr=1-2-spell&keywords=GCSE+englisj+spag

Science - I am not sure weather I am taking additional or triple science, but I defiantly know I'm taking core.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0007416040/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE
http://www.amazon.co.uk/GCSE-Core-Science-Edexcel-Workbook/dp/1841467219/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1405522037&sr=1-3&keywords=GCSE+edexcel+core+science+cgp

History - Should I get: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0340992212/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A1DSC92XD6ASCZ
or
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Revise-Edexcel-History-Making-Revision/dp/1446905128/ref=sr_1_14?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1405522179&sr=1-14&keywords=GCSE+history+edexcel+a
or
http://www.amazon.co.uk/History-Modern-Complete-Revision-Practice/dp/1841463752/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1405522243&sr=1-2&keywords=cgp+history+gcse

Geography - http://www.amazon.co.uk/GCSE-Geography-Complete-Revision-Practice/dp/1847629997/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1405522294&sr=1-2&keywords=cgp+geography+gcse+aqa
or
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Geography-Revision-Guide-Letts-Success/dp/1844195228/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1405522322&sr=1-1&keywords=letts+geography+gcse
or
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Revise-AQA-Geography-Specification-Revision/dp/1447940857/ref=sr_1_10?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1405522347&sr=1-10&keywords=geography+gcse+aqa+a

Lastly ICT - http://www.amazon.co.uk/ICT-Revision-Guide-Letts-Success/dp/1844195244/ref=sr_1_10?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1405522385&sr=1-10&keywords=GCSE+ICT

I know its a lot but could anyone give me there opinion and once again thanks Mia!!!



I think you need to ask your school whether they sell books or revision guides. Mine did and it's likely to be cheaper than buying on your own as the school probably buys them in bulk.
Anyway, I got the higher tier maths Collins revision guide(the first link you put), and I think it was really good. Are you going to do foundation or higher?
Don't buy science revision guides untill you know if you're doing dual/separate, or you'll end up buying more than you need!

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